Lexington man pleads not guilty to charge that he smothered his son

A Lexington man pleaded not guilty Thursday to an accusation that he smothered his 2-year-old son while trying to stop the toddler's crying.

Brandon Fraley, 24, was charged with second-degree manslaughter Tuesday. A police report filed in Fayette County District Court said Fraley "wantonly caused the death of his son" Derek Jaxon Fraley in August.

Brandon Fraley told officers "he held his hand over his son's face until he stopped crying."

The document listed the cause of death as asphyxia.

Brandon Fraley was already lodged in the Fayette County jail when he was charged with his son's death, court records show. He was arrested on Oct. 28 for possessing a controlled substance and violating the terms of his probation.

Fraley is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing Monday.

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